Solo Travel in Tasmania – An Unforgettable Adventure
Solo travel in Tasmania is an epic adventure you won’t forget! If you enjoy untouched wilderness and spotting native animals in the wild, then you’ll love visiting Tasmania.
With charming historic towns, art and culture, warm hospitality and delicious local food and wine, Tasmania is a wonderful destination for any visitor.
But “is Tasmania safe to travel alone? How do you get there and what’s the best way to get around as a solo traveller? This guide answers all these questions and includes where to stay, the best things to see and do and more…
Tasmania is an island just south of the Australian mainland and one of the safest places in the world for women travelling alone. Often overlooked by visitors, Tasmania richly rewards those who make the journey across the Bass Strait and it’s one of my favourite places in Australia.
I’m an Australian who has travelled solo throughout the country. I’ve enjoyed four amazing holidays in Tasmania, and I’ve compiled this solo Tasmania travel guide to help you plan a safe and successful trip to Australia’s island state.
But first, let’s look more deeply at why a solo trip to Tasmania is a highlight of visiting Australia.
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Solo Travel Tasmania Highlights
On a solo Tasmania holiday, you’ll see some of the most extraordinary sights and experiences that Australia has to offer.
With a rich colonial history, a stunning natural environment, unique wildlife and delicious food, Australia’s island state is packed with memorable moments for a Tasmania solo trip. Here are some highlights:
- Hobart: Tasmania’s capital is Australia’s second-oldest city (after Sydney) and a charming blend of old and new. Explore the historic Old Town with its cobblestone streets, restored heritage pubs, convict-era buildings, and bustling harbourfront. Must-sees include the world-renowned MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) and the vibrant Salamanca Market, a favourite of mine for browsing local crafts, produce, and art.
- UNESCO World Heritage Convict Sites: The Port Arthur Historic Site and the pretty village of Richmond are well-preserved and offer a glimpse into the island’s compelling colonial past.
- UNESCO World Heritage National Parks & Wilderness: With 19 stunning National Parks, Tasmania is a destination for nature lovers. On a Tasmania self-drive holiday, I was able to explore stunning wilderness areas, ancient rainforests, and scenic walking tracks at Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair, the Freycinet Peninsula, Mount Field, the Tasman Peninsula, and the remote Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, to name a few…
- Unique Wildlife: Tasmania is home to animals you won’t find anywhere else. I’ve seen Tasmanian devils, wombats, wallabies, pademelons, echidnas, little penguins, eastern quolls, and the elusive platypus, many in the wild.
- Spectacular Coastal Drives: Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive is one of Australia’s most beautiful coastal routes. Just visiting the white sands and turquoise waters of the Bay of Fires and Wineglass Bay makes a solo Tasmania trip worthwhile, and there’s even more to discover in North Tasmania and on the wild west coast.
- Whether you’re looking for a gentle stroll or a multi-day adventure, you’ll find a wonderful selection of walking tracks in Tasmania. The legendary Overland Track is an epic adventure and hiking the stunning Three Capes Track was a highlight for me. There are shorter walks all over the island, and I’ve enjoyed some beautiful hikes at Mount Field, Cradle Mountain, and the Franklin River area.
- Enjoy Tasmania’s famous local produce, fresh seafood, delicious berries, boutique cheeses, crisp apples, local wines and spirits, and fragrant lavender. Stop in at a country pub for a beer, a chat and a Sunday roast, my favourite pub meal while exploring the island.
- From luxury lodges and heritage hotels to bush retreats, quirky cottages, hostels and friendly B&Bs, Tasmania offers a diverse range of accommodation, ideal for solo travellers looking for charm, character, comfort or company.
- Warm and Eccentric Locals: Tasmania is known for its friendly, down-to-earth people.
- If you visit between May and September, you might be lucky enough to witness the Aurora Australis, the Southern Lights. Tasmania is one of the best places in Australia to catch this magical natural display.
Is Tasmania Safe to Travel Alone?
Yes Tasmania is safe to travel alone. With a low crime rate, Hobart is one of the safest cities in Australia.
I’ve enjoyed several solo trips to Tasmania, visiting National Parks, camping and hiking alone, and I’ve always felt safe. But having said that, nowhere is completely safe, so it’s best to take a few precautions when travelling solo in Tasmania.
- Avoid driving at night: Wombats, wallabies and possums are a major cause of road accidents, especially in rural areas and can behave erratically if they’re scared. My hire car company in Hobart had six cars involved in accidents over the Easter weekend, all of them involving wildlife.
- Use a paper map or download your map. The Internet is unreliable in rural areas, and you can’t rely on satellite navigation.
- Fill the petrol tank and stock up on food and water before heading into National Parks and wilderness areas. Petrol stations are sometimes few and far between in Tasmania.
- Keep your valuables secure, especially if you’re travelling alone. When camping, I locked my money and credit cards in my car at night.
- As a solo female traveller, I opted for paid campsites that were well lit and had good facilities with lots of other people nearby, rather than using free campsites in Tasmania.
- Solo hikers should tell someone where they’re going and sign in and out of the log book at the National Park Visitor’s Centre.
- Don’t walk alone at night in unlit areas
- Don’t leave your drink unattended
Where is Tasmania?
Tasmania is an island at the southernmost tip of Australia, around 240 kilometres or 150 miles off the mainland across the Bass Strait. The island is one of Australia’s six states, and Hobart is the capital.
How to Get There
Travel by air or by sea to get to Tasmania.
Air
Flying to Tasmania is fast and convenient. There are two International airports in Hobart and Launceston, with regular flights from around Australia. Domestic flights to Hobart from Australia’s capital cities, such as Sydney and Melbourne, are inexpensive and frequent.
My return flights from Sydney to Hobart took just 2 hours and cost less than A$500 during the Easter school holiday peak period.
A fly drive holiday in Tasmania is the best way to see the island. Fly in to Hobart or Launceston and hire a car to get around.
I used Discover Cars to book my hire car in Tasmania. It’s a comparison website for hiring cars around the world and I found the perfect car at an affordable price for my fly drive Tasmania holiday. It cost me about A$550 to hire a small car for a week with insurance over the Easter peak period.
Sea
Catching the ferry and travelling by sea is also an option. The Spirit of Tasmania takes passengers and vehicles across the Bass Strait, leaving Australia’s mainland in Geelong, Victoria and arriving in Devonport on Tasmania’s north coast.
On my first solo Tasmania road trip, I travelled by ferry with my car. I did a night crossing and I also travelled during the day. It’s a long 11-hour trip, and a 10-hour drive from Sydney to get to Geelong. I would only consider taking the ferry for a longer stay of 2 weeks or more.
I recommend travelling at night and sleeping comfortably in a shared cabin on the ferry. Although it was cheaper, I didn’t enjoy the day crossing. There was a big swell, and my ferry was delayed by several hours, making the trip very long.
If you take the ferry, be prepared for rough seas; the Bass Strait is notorious for big waves.
Where to Base Yourself: Hobart or Launceston
If you’re planning a shorter visit of a week or less, basing yourself in Hobart or Launceston is a good option for a solo trip to Tasmania. A network of buses connects the island, and you can take day trips to travel outside the city.
On another solo trip to Tasmania, I found plenty of fun things to do in Hobart without a car. I loved exploringHobart on foot, and when I ventured outside the city, I took a bus to Port Arthur and joined a sightseeing tour of Bruny Island from Hobart.
Launceston is another good base for a solo holiday in Tasmania, with access to Cradle Mountain and the north coast by bus.
How to Get Around Tasmania Solo
Basing yourself in Hobart or Launceston is a good option for solo travel in Tasmania, but for me, the best way to get around the island is to fly and drive in Tasmania. Flying is a quick and convenient way to get there, and hiring a car gives me the independence and flexibility I love as a solo traveller.
On my first road solo trip to Tasmania, I drove my own car from Sydney to the ferry in Geelong. This was a bit of a marathon, but having the car meant I could drive to remote places, explore the national parks and camp on Tasmania’s stunning east coast.
On my most recent solo Tasmania trip, I flew to Hobart and hired a car with Discover Cars, a comparison website that helped me find a great hire car at an affordable price.
I drove a near-new car, stayed in out-of-the-way places and explored the island’s stunning wilderness areas at my own pace. I loved the independence of driving, and it gave me the freedom to go where I wanted, whenever I felt like it and this is worth having on a solo trip to Tasmania.
Tasmania Solo Travel Itineraries
If you need some help planning your solo Tasmania adventure, here are my itineraries:
A Stunning 14 Day Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary
10 Days in Tasmania: The Perfect Solo Road Trip
Fun Things to Do in Hobart Tasmania in 3 Days
Where to Stay
Travelling alone in Tasmania, I stayed in a few different types of accommodation: heritage pubs and hotels, friendly B&Bs, hostels and a cabin in the bush. I also enjoyed camping in Tasmania’s low-cost and well-equipped camp sites with wallabies hopping around my tent.
Driving a car on a solo trip to Tasmania gave me the flexibility and freedom to stay in some great accommodation across the island. Here are some of my favourites:
Hobart
Mid Range: The Shipwrights Arms on Battery Point in Hobart is a historic pub that’s a 10-minute walk from Salamanca Place and Hobart’s Waterfront. It has a welcoming atmosphere and a restaurant on-site. I enjoyed staying here and recommend the Sunday roast special (all weekend).
The Edinburgh Gallery B&B in Hobart has a friendly owner and plenty of character. If you’re staying in Hobart without a car, this B&B has a good location on Macquarie Street. The walk down the hill to the waterfront takes about 10-15 minutes. I stayed in a lovely, light, bright room with a private bathroom on the main level of the old house.
But beware, the cheaper rooms are in the basement, three flights of stairs away from the shared bathroom.
Strahan
Strahan Wilderness Lodge is a delightful place to stay on Tasmania’s west coast. Located a few kilometres outside town, the lodge has welcoming owners and a truly lovely outlook over the water. This friendly B&B was a favourite on my most recent solo trip to Tasmania.
Queenstown
The Hunters Hotel in the heritage mining town of Queenstown is another gem, perfect for solo travellers in Tasmania’s wild west. I stayed in a comfortable single room with a shared bathroom (and I was the only person using it). I enjoyed the breakfast, and it was a pleasure to meet the friendly owner, a delightfully eccentric local.
Bronte Park
Bronte Park Highland Cabins and Cottages are a remote and comfortable place to stay on a solo Tasmania driving holiday. The cabins are in a lovely, scenic and quiet spot in the highlands, around 20 minutes outside Derwent Bridge and Lake St Clair.
My cabin was warm and had a well-equipped kitchen for self-catering, with a BBQ on the deck. The free bottle of port was a relaxing treat after a full day exploring. I enjoyed staying here!
Where to Eat
My favourite meals for a solo Tasmania trip were in local pubs and cafes. I enjoyed visiting quirky, heritage hotels, and the Sunday Roast in a Hobart pub was a road trip meal that I was looking forward to months before my trip. It was one of the reasons I stayed at the Shipwrights Arms hotel on Battery Point fot the popular onsite restaurant.
I also had some mouth-watering fried barramundi, chips and salad at “The Kitchen”, a café on the waterfront in Strahan and a delicious veggie burger and chips at The Lachlan Hotel in Ouse to break the drive.
I even met the friendly locals at the Golf Club in Strahan for a meal and a beer. I’m not sure I would repeat the meal: loaded fries with pork smothered with melted cheese, but I did enjoy the atmosphere.
When to Plan a Solo Tasmania Holiday
Tasmania is Australia’s most southern state and the coldest in the country. The best time for a solo Tasmania driving holiday is in summer, but Tasmania’s weather is famously unpredictable, so put some warm clothes on your packing list.
Summer (December to March)
Summer is the most popular season for solo travel to Tasmania. The days are longer, the weather is warmer, and it’s the ideal time for camping, hiking, swimming, and enjoying the island’s stunning national parks and beaches.
This is also peak tourist season, especially during school holidays, Christmas, and Easter, so book your flights, car hire and accommodation well in advance.
I went to Tasmania in December to hike the Three Capes Trail on the Tasman Peninsula.The weather was still cold with some rain, and I needed my thermals and wet weather gear, but it was a magical time to visit. Summer was late coming, and the bush was full of spring flowers.
Autumn (March to May)
I’ve visited Tasmania twice in April and found the weather pleasantly mild, though very changeable. I experienced everything from sunshine to snow on the mountains and heavy rain, but the crisp air and autumn colours made it a wonderful time to explore.
If you don’t mind packing a raincoat and dressing in layers, it’s a beautiful time and quieter for travel.
Winter (June to August)
This is the off-season, and the island is covered in snow. It’s a quiet time to visit, and too cold for many outdoor activities. Winter sports and festivals like the Dark MOFO art, music, and food festival are a highlight, with a nude solstice swim to celebrate the shortest day of the year.
Spring (September to November)
Expect cool temperatures and changeable weather in spring. It’s the shoulder season and a good time for a solo trip to Tasmania if you don’t mind some rain and cool weather. The days are lengthening, there are fewer tourists, and accommodation is cheaper.
Spring is a lovely time for hiking when the bush is in flower and the air is crisp and cool. End the day with a hot pub meal and relax by an open fire.
Final Thoughts: Solo Travel in Tasmania
Solo travel in Tasmania is a unique and special experience. Having enjoyed four solo holidays on the island I highly recommend taking the time and effort to visit. As a solo traveller in Tasmania, you can enjoy art, history and culture and immerse yourself in the island’s breathtaking natural beauty.
For a shorter stay of less than a week, base yourself in Hobart or Launceston. And for solo travellers who enjoy peace, nature, and some adventure I suggest a driving holiday in Tasmania.
On my solo road trips, I drove through UNESCO-listed wilderness, hiked remote trails, and stayed in charming, out-of-the-way accommodations.
I watched the sunrise over the ocean, saw wombats and wallabies in the wild, and enjoyed the serenity of ancient forests, without having to follow anyone else’s schedule.
But it’s important to prepare. Tasmania’s remote areas can be wild and isolated, and solo travellers should take a few extra precautions to stay safe, especially when venturing into national parks or driving long distances.
You might also enjoy
10 Days in Tasmania -The Perfect Solo Road Trip Itinerary
Tasmania Packing List Essentials
15 Best Things to Do in North Tasmania
Best Things to Do in Hobart Without a Car
Fun Things to Do in Hobart Tasmania – in 3 Days
A Stunning 2 Weeks in Tasmania Itinerary
12 Great Day Trips From Hobart, Australia
The 3 Capes Walk in Tasmania – The Best Time to Go
Why Port Arthur in Tasmania is So Fascinating
Why You’ll Love Visiting Wineglass Bay in Tasmania
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